Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-02-17
A FIERcE STRUGGLE
The Fighting Square at Abu Flea, yvher.
Heroic Burnaby FELL

| 1he Eigntin2 Square at Abu klea, Where
| Heroic Burnaby Yell.
AT 1t we went; the square was closed
1 must acknowledge that our men were
now mad. We all felt that we must
fight for our lives. Retreat was not to
be thought of; if we did so, where
could We retreat to, cut off as we were
from all support? If we did not win
the day we must leave our bones in the
desert. The temper of our men
mounted to the boiling pitch. Each
man felt as If he must put forth the
power of giant, and as a conse-
quence the butchery was terrible-none
dared to finch. Thus every man in
the square had to do his duty, for while
the inside resembled volcano in act
i've eruption, the outside or kneeling
ranks had enough to do to keep the
other Arabs a6 a respectful distance.
The fighting was literally back to back.
Stabbing and gash-lg their horses,
which were damned in a mass, we
quickly brought them to the ground,
riders and all, when the latter were
quickly dispatched by dozens of bayo-
nets at once. The Arabs, being packed
SO tightly together, could neither use
their lances nor WELD their scimit.rs
without slashing each other, while we
did not cease our lunging as long as
one breathed. At last they were wiped
out, and again we faced outward and
reopened fire, our weapons meanwhile
dripping. Five times the enemy
charged us with frantic cries and way
ing banners, and as many times we
poured in the murderous volleys-no
shots wasted.
1t was during one of these charges
that Colonel Burnaby, impatient at the
restraint imposed on him, pushed his
horse through the ranks of the rear
lace, and singing out an emir who was
making himself disagreeably promi-
nent, made a Thrust at him, but was
rather short; the emir thrust in return
with his lance, but Bunaby, with a
sneer on his face parried it easily.
Two or three Arabs took a hand. but
he disposed of them similarly. 1t was
evident that he now Intended to aston
ish them with his magnificent sword
manship, as he gathered up his reins
and frightened his, grip on his saber.
But at this juncture- anDther rush was
made, the Arabs surged around Kim,
and before he could turn an Arab
thrust at him from behind, piercing his
jugular vein. He reeleeS in the saddle
and fell, but springing to his feet dy-
ing though he was, he delivered one
tremendous cut at some dismouu,!ed
Arabs nearest him with such TERRIBLE |
effect as to sever the heads from she |
shoulders of two of them. As, he |
dropped the Arabs closed in to nutilate |
Trim, but dozen men sprang from tie |
square and tore his body from them. |
All this happened so quickly as to- lie,
wilder the spectators.
1t might be asked why it was that
tie men of the square. did not shoot
those to whom he wasopposed.. There
ire two answers: One Was that owing
TO the velocity of his movements they
were afraid of shooting him while aim
ing at his adversaries;: the other was
hat those who knew him.had such con-
itence in his ability thar they did not
ike to rob him of his game, newer
for a moment. that the affTtir
wGsuld terminate as itdid! Meanwhile,
Inc battle ragged, the eaemy came. on
ike the waves, not to, bs driven back,
,ut to be beaten to the earth. Horses and
men, they were piled IN mounds; in
act, the great number of their dead
lsrd wounded interfaped with tIfrir
movements, while the. slightest delay
IN their part insuredcegtain death, and
f was now noticed finm their hesita>
hon that they had lost heart. As taaey
iame on for the last time, the front of
heir advance consisting entirely Of
rhite-robed emIrs> and sheikhs shout
ng, waving their'banIers and pointing
It us, all our machine guns opened a
fire, supplemented by hand
lap volleys fromi the. Martini-Henrys,
md when the smoke lifted not ii live
Arab was to be. seen within five
thousand yards.-1hey were. all
tretched. / fear no contradiction
When venture. to- say that never since
Agincourt, not GWEN at Inkermana (the
oldier's battle). has the British force
ought so terrible hand-to-hand bat
le.-Cor. Boston Commercial BalLetin.